The best restaurant in the USA
DESCRIPTION: Having dined at many of the top tier restaurants, this is the only possible conclusion. Chef Keller composes a twelve course experience which leaves you wondering about the composition of each and every course and amazed at the smooth transit between them. He has no inhibitions and mixed traditional French technique with asian and african ingredients yet manages to create something that exceeds the usual fusion cuisines. The wine menu is superb and features some extraordinary california boutique wineries. A word to the wise - if you managed to get a dinner table, don't waste your time on the "small" menu as it really is small and you will remain hungry and frustrated.
DATE: 1999-12-20
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : let them feed you

A Unique Food and Wine Experience but Overpriced
DESCRIPTION: The food is true art in terms of presentation. Food choices were difficult. There are no simple choices. Having a vegetarian course was a good alternative. I found the service to be outstanding. Getting a reservation is difficult. I do not know if I want to revisit this establishment after having dined here on two different occasions. (Member of A.I.W.F.)
DATE: 2003-05-25
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6

A Night You Will Never Forget
DESCRIPTION: This is must do in life - let the waiter staff be your guide...this food evokes every sense. Take your companion as this is a place for romance, during and after. Enjoy...
DATE: 2006-01-11
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : All of them!

OK
DESCRIPTION: We've eaten here a few times and each time, our experience has been mediocre. Service is slow and meal quality is inconsistent. The last (and final) time we went, one of our dishes contained a large shard of plastic - for which we were offered a free dessert - not another entree. The restaurant did not uphold its local reputation.
DATE: 2005-03-04
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 4

Fabulous
DESCRIPTION: This is a unique experience and very different from the ususal sit down, eat and go dining. Located on the river, the view is just fabulous, relaxing, and romantic. The meals are served on Simon Pearce pottery and the extensive selection of wines are served in their hand blown glass. For families, it is also a great place to take kids. While waiting for a table or after your meal you can enjoy watching the glassblowers in action as well as the potters. We love their glass vases and have completed our entire Woodbury collection by purchasing a vase every time we went there for dinner. The food is always divine and creative. We sometimes ask for recepes which they email to us. We highly recommend it, and trust me, we're picky.
DATE: 2006-01-04
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10

Children Unwelcome
DESCRIPTION: Our family visits Kiawah Island frequently. Rosebank Farms Cafe has always been a favorite, and dinner there twice a week during our visit is normal. The food and service are excellent. However, we were there on two occasions in May 2003. The second was a family dinner for 17, and included 2 small children. The children's menu was overpriced and boldly stated that Rosebank does not like to make hamburgers. If the customer must have one, the cost is $12.50. They also charged and additional $.50 for cheese. A similar child's burger can be purchased at any Charleston restaurant for considerably less. When I questioned the Manager on the pricing and mostly the attitude, I was asked "did I read the menu"? That was his reply. Many Charleston area restaurants are excellent and are understanding about the presence of children in a family party. For years, we have looked forward to dinner at Rosebank, but I will not return where patronage is not appreciated. Competition in the Kiawah/Seabrook area is going to be tougher, and Rosebank would do well to re-think their attitude.
DATE: 2003-05-27
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Mahi Mahi, Fried Chicken, Veal Meatloaf

Delicious but noisy
DESCRIPTION: The food at Rosebank Farms Cafe was, overall, delicious with generous portions. We had the Wild Mushroom Soup and the Local Seafood Stew for starters. I would get the mushroom soup next time. The stew was a little fishy. For the main course the Pan Seared Mahi-Mahi Fillet, chive whipped potatoes, White Wine Butter Sauce with Beaufort Crab....to die for. Also had the Twin Filet medallions...large and cooked to perfection served with the best Fried Oysters I have ever had..."corn fried." We were so full we skipped desert. The only problem here is no ambiance don t go there for a quiet dinner for two. We were there on a Wednesday night which you would think would be less crowded. Also, we used a restaurant.com gift certificate with no problem.
DATE: 2003-07-24
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6

A manager's response
DESCRIPTION: As the manager in question in the above review, I feel I must respond. I am truly sorry that our policy and pricing regarding our children's menu was an issue. It is in no way meant to discriminate against those with children, and families are most certainly welcome at Rosebank. It is difficult to strike a balance between being an upscale restaurant and being one in which families with young children can feel comfortable as well. Without getting into all of the reasons which make it necessary for us to price our kid's menu as we do, I will only say that accomodating young children in a small, busy restaurant offers it's own set of challenges. With an average entre price of $20.00, a twelve-dollar burger is not netting us a huge profit, and it is not meant to do so. We simply need to strike a balance. As for the incident in question, I was the manager on duty that night and I remember it specifically. The gentleman asked to talk to me as the party was leaving and inquired as to we "really charge $12.50 for a burger." I sheepishly replied that yes we do. When asked why we don't forewarn people about this, I replied by stating that "it's written on the menu." I in no way was trying to be dismissive, and I'm sorry if that was the way it came across. We work very hard at Rosebank Farm's Cafe to provide an enjoyable, friendly dining experience for ALL of our guests and I do appreciate a forum such as this as we are genuinely interested in knowing what we do right and what we do wrong. As for "Duke", I welcome you back next year. Ask for Randy; I'll be happy to buy you a drink.
DATE: 2003-11-20
OVERALLRATING : 10

DESCRIPTION: We recently took our 14th trip to Kiawah Island. We have been going to the Rose Bank Farms for years. This year we again found the cafe with great food and a wonderful staff.
DATE: 2004-10-05
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : the vegetable dishes and mac and cheese and the fried chicken

Very accommodating
DESCRIPTION: My college fraternity recently met a Kiawah Island for our bi-annual reunion. Rosebank Farm Cafe was very willing to work with the planners and were instrumental in making a lovely evening. The food was exceptional and the service was better.
DATE: 2005-06-07
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8

DESCRIPTION: We have been going to Kiawah for 14 years. Our group includes grown children and grand children. The best was when we discovered Rosebank Farms Cafe. We dream about the food. The staff is excellent. We are sorry our favorite waitperson is leaving for another career. We will miss her. It can be noisy, so go early. Actually we don't care. It is wonderful.
DATE: 2005-08-01
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : grilled beef, oysters, pasta-seafood specials

Wonderful Southern Hospitality
DESCRIPTION: My first visit to Rosebank Farms Cafe had me wishing I lived in South Carolina. Four of us were on vacation, visiting the Carolina's from Portland, Oregon. Our trip began on Kiawah Island and after eating here we wished we were ending it at Kiawah so we could come back and eat at Rosebank again. We were fortunate to meet the owner, Julie. What a gracious person. Our waiter, Matt, treated us like royalty. Thank you for making our first meal of a great vacation unforgettable.
DATE: 2005-10-22
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Fried chicken, shrimp, catfish, crabcakes and the incredible brownie dessert

Wow! A Great Experience!
DESCRIPTION: My wife and I dined at Rosebank Farms Cafe in May of 2006 and had a great experience. The location overlooking the quaint marina provided us a relaxing view while we enjoyed the service of our waitress. The food only served to confirm this restaurant as the best we have eaten at in the Charleston area. We will be back!
DATE: 2006-05-11
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Seafood Pasta Special. The salads and desert were also incredible.

YOU'LL ALWAYS COME BACK!
DESCRIPTION: I have eaten at this marvelous restaurant since it opened and it just get's better. How about a 27 in Zagat this year! Doesn't get better than that! My husband and I eat at fine restaurants everywhere in this country and outside of it so we compare Chris with other restaurants in this class. The food is beautifully presented and always brought right from the kitchen the minute it's ready. Chris has a very skilled hand and it shows in his superb cuisine. His menu isn't vast, which is why he's on top of everything, but his choices are excellent and varied. He does it right and the kitchen shines! He has quite a few of the same wait staff and a marvelous manager that he's had for years and they too are skilled and very knowledgeable. Can answer just about any question you throw at them and are proud of their professionalism, as they should well be. Chris's wife Courtney is the author of a recent book "Wife of the Chef", a very amusing read about the "real stuff behind the scenes" and she is an integral part, as well as partner, of the business. To dine at Metro Bis is a privilege and, as I noted in the headline, you will always come back!
DATE: 2003-06-10
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Gnocchi, Scallops, Lobster Whipped Potatoes,Filet Mignon, Pearl Salmon, actually Everything!

Great Food & Atmosphere
DESCRIPTION: Wonderful Dining expierence the food was perfect and the staff was very attentive! We loved sitting out on the balcony and watching the town below as we ate.
DATE: 2002-05-14
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8

Great View, But Nothing Else.
DESCRIPTION: The Balcony Bar offered a great view, but nothing else. The food and service were less than marginal. I am thoroughly convinced that this is just one of many restaurants in Eureka that must be managed by visiting folks (just like you and me) that fell in love with the countryside and decided to open a restaurant.
DATE: 2005-09-19
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 2
RECOMMENDED DISHES : bottled beverages

Saturday Brunch
DESCRIPTION: Three of us, each ordering hamburgers. The French fries were varying degrees of cold and hot must have depended where the plate was placed in regards to the heat lamps). The buns showed the signs of being grilled, but were stone cold and hard. Hamburger was rubber.
DATE: 2003-11-15
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 2

Awesome Neighborhood Cafe
DESCRIPTION: Disagree strongly with other reviewer... my cheeseburger was very tasty and the fries came with amazing homemade ketchup. The bistro mussels were the best I've ever had, and there's a wonderful selection of belgian beers and great wines. NY strip steak is HUGE and delicious, big enough for two!
DATE: 2004-01-19
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : steak, mussels

Saint-Excellent
DESCRIPTION: Swordfish and Mussels were both A+ and they have DTs on draft (Delrium). The design of this restaurant is one of the coolest outside of Paris.
DATE: 2004-01-30
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Swordfish, Mussels, Steak... Entrees

Poor Service
DESCRIPTION: The woman who seated us was extremely rude and the waiter acted like he was doing us a favor to wait on us. Furthermore, the food is just average for the price. I give most places a second chance, but the service was so bad and rude here that I will not return.
DATE: 2004-09-24
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 4
OVERALLRATING : 2

tight place
DESCRIPTION: Thought this place was above average as far as food goes. Excellent on music, culture and crowd.
DATE: 2005-02-14
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8